The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-09-22

o0R NATIONAL CONSTITUTION.
Last and crow,i.s Day q Ii. Celebration, Il tn.
Formation Of the Federal Coastitsties.
Saturday, the 18th, was tn. last day 81
the Philadelphia Celebration Of the Consti.
tuition Of tho United States, and In some 70.
spects, thegreatest. The whole body 81 tho
people, with vast accessions from abroad.
gave themselves up to ,ts full enjoyment.
At the memorial meeting at Indepsnd.
ence Hall. the appearance Of tho pre,ident
and his wife at tho head ola double column
OF distinguished visitors created q
perfect r,s up uproaE OF applause as they
t5se d p.cs. TIM is%sF s' ossds
leaned on the arm Of Ex.Minister
Kasson. and directly behind them came
Mrs. Cleveland. leaning, On tho arm OF
Thomas Thompson; chaifinan Of tho com.
mittee On the reception Of distinsuished
guests. Next came Secretary Bayard.
Daniel lamont ana wife and Secretary
After ali had reached tb. stand, Bishop
those who occupied the reserved space,
made the opening prayer. Then Gen.
Sheridan, with his aides, followed CLOSELY
by Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop RYAN
and number, Of Catholic clergy, marched
down the aisle, cheered to the echo.
When they had been seated President
kasson. OF the centennial commission as.
rendered by the chorus. arose to mako tho
Introductory a adress Of the day. His re-
marks were punctuated with many dem.
onstrations of appreciation. Mrs.
Cleveland sat almost in front OF the
speakers position. and was the cynosure
OF all eyes. Cardinal Gibbons, wearing
the cardinal colors OF his exalted office
sat at the side OF the speakers, and was
one of tho most attentive listeners:
| Ex-Minister Kasson escorted tho presi.
dent to tho speakers rostrini. and at 1865
| he commenced q tenminute address. which
was received with thuuderous applause
His enunciation was clear and perfect, and
his voice rang out audibly to the thous.
! ands of ears: He said:
I deem it d very great honor and pleas.
ure to participate in these impressive ex.
ercises. Every American citizen should on
this centennial day rejoice in his citizen.
cause of rejoicing: in tho autiquity Of
his country. for among the nations Of the
earth his stands with tho youngest. He
will not find it in the glitter and tho pomp
! that bedeck a monarch aud dazzle abject
| and servile subjects. for in his country the
people themselves are rulers. He will not
| find it in the story OF bloody foreign con.
quests, for his government has been con-
tent to care for its own domain and peo-
pie. He should rejoice because the work
offraming our constitution was completed
100 years ago to-day, and also because
. when completed it established
joice because this constitution and govern.
ment have survived SO long and also be-
cause they have survived with 20 many
blessings and have demonstrated 90 fully
the strength and value of popul ar rule
He should rejoice in tho wonderous growth
and achievements of the past 100 years,
! and also in the glorious promise OF the
constitution through centuries to come.
We shall fail to be duly thankful for all
that was done for US 100 years ago unless
| we realize the difficulties OF the work
them hand, and the dangers avoided in the
task offorminga more perfect union between
dlsjointed and inharmoniOus states, with
interests and opinions radically diverse
and stubbornly maintained. The perplex.
tiles OF the convention which undertook
the labors Of preparing our constitution
are apparent In these earnest words OF one
OF its most ilustrious Of its members.
The president here quoted words spoken
by the member referred to, expressive of
the difficulties which beset the trainers OF
the constitution. and suggesting that the
blessing OF God be invoked upon their la
bors. In the face OF all diecoura eements
the fathers OF the republic labored Tor four
and fear, but always with rugged
resolve, never Tailoring in sturdy endeavor
sanctified by a prophetic sense Of tho val.
ue to posterity Of their success. and always
with unflinching faith in the principles
which make the foundation of q govern.
ment by the people. As ne look down the
past century to the origin OF our constitu.
ton, as we contemplate its trials and it's
the principles upon which it is based have
met every ma tional peril and every national
| need, how devoutly should we confess with
Franklin, God governs the affairs OF
men, and how solemn should be the reflec.
ton that to our hands is committed the
IL the duty to shield itirom impious hands.
We receive it sealed with the test OF q CEN
fury. 1t has been found sufficient in the
past, and in all the future years it will be
! found sufficient if the American people are
true to their sacred trust. Another cen.
tennial day will come. and millions vet
unborn will inquire concerning our
their constitution. God grant that they
may find it unimpaired; and az we rejoice
in the patriotism and devotion OF those
who lived a hundred years ago, so NAV
others who follow US rejoice in our fidelity
, and in our jealous love for constitutional
liberty.
When the president was in the middle OF
his remarks the soft mellow sound of the
bell in the cupola of the state house which
occupies the place OF honor on the structure
rousing cheer went up from the crowd.
-, The president WIS Obliged to stop talking
for ii few seconds. 1t was just 1905 when
the president uttered his last word. and he
at once retired to his seat. Before the
echo OF his words had died away there was
a cheering which was deafeniug. While
the applause was still: going on. the crowd
broke into patriotic air, and the din was
| terrific.
Ar lar as the eye could reach there was one
solid, seething, surging mass OF humanity,
and when their throats opened in unison
they filled the air and made an inspiring
scene. When quiet once more reigned,
Justice Samuel f. Miller, of the United
States supreme court delivered very
Justice Miller was seated the band struck
up Hail Columbia" as an accompeni.
| ment to the chorus two thousand strong.
President kasson took the arm of Cardinal
Gibbons. who, with the glittering sun pour
ing down upon his vestments, an1the red
hat 80 lately placed upon his head by
Leo Kill. looked his best and was the reci-
pient OF much attention. After walking to
the front of the stand and pay
ing his respects to tho thousands
Of people who surged in and
around the square, with a bow be turned,
and facing the president, and within hear
ing OF all who occupied seats around the
circle offered a prayer. The most impor-
tant social event took place when Mrs.
Cleveland was entertained by Mr.. and
Mrs. George w. Childs, ut Wooton, their
beautiful country seat at Bryn Mawr.
The occasion was marked by the presence
Of a great number of distinguished perso ns.
Upon reaching Mr. Chiltls' grounds, the i'm.
promptu coaching party went at once to the
spring house. and after being shown its at